Woman dies after nerve agent exposure

A woman in Wiltshire has died after being exposed to nerve agent Novichok.

Scotland Yard confirmed a murder investigation has been launched after the death of mum-of-three Dawn Sturgess.

In a statement, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, the head of UK Counterterrorism policing, said: “This is shocking and tragic news.

“Dawn leaves behind her family, including three children, and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this extremely difficult time.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said yesterday were “no current plans” to impose fresh sanctions on Russia, despite accusing the country of using Britain as a “dumping ground” for poison.

Mr Javid visited the community in Amesbury yesterday. He aid he would not “jump to conclusions” over the latest attack.

Police are investigating how Dawn Sturgess, 44, and her partner Charlie Rowley, 45, came into contact with the nerve agent. Mr Rowley remains critically ill in hospital.

It comes four months after former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia fell ill after being exposed to Novichok in nearby Salisbury.

Scotland Yard added, “Detectives will continue with their work to gather all the available evidence so that we can understand how two citizens came to be exposed with such a deadly substance that tragically cost Dawn her life.